Sustainability Specialist - Buildings

Steven Winter Associates; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k with match

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Steven Winter Associates in Washington, DC, seeks a Sustainability Specialist / Green Rater to inspect and guide multifamily and single-family projects toward ENERGY STAR, Passive House, LEED, and Enterprise Green Communities certifications.

You’ll test and verify measures, review drawings, communicate complex building science concepts clearly, and coordinate documentation for certification programs while contributing to a collaborative, employee‑owned team.

Qualifications

• HERS Rater/HERS Rating Field Inspector and/or NGBS Green Verifier credentials preferred.
• BS in architectural engineering, building technologies, architecture, construction management or related field.
• 1+ years of experience in building design/construction or applied building science with onsite exposure.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and test buildings to verify sustainability measures, including those under construction.
• Communicate building science principles and green program requirements to project teams.
• Review drawings and specs against sustainability goals and make optimization recommendations.
• Prepare and coordinate documentation for ENERGY STAR, Passive House, LEED, and related certifications.
• Conduct research on technology, programs, and policy related to sustainability.

Skills

HERS Rater

HERS Rating Field Inspector

LEED Homes Green Rater

BPI Multifamily Building Analyst

NGBS Green Verifier

Communication of complex concepts

Independent work

Attention to detail

Valid U.S. driver’s license

Education

BS in architectural engineering

BS in building technologies

BS in architecture/construction management

Tools

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

AutoCAD

Bluebeam/Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Work Authorization: Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Steven Winter Associates (SWA) does not sponsor employment-based visas (e.g., H-1B, OPT, etc.) for this position, now or in the future.

Why Steven Winter Associates?

At SWA, you’re not just joining a company, you’re joining an employee-owned team committed to making buildings healthier, more sustainable, and lower-carbon.

• Be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your ideas matter.
• Work on real projects, seeing the impact of your work in the field and in communities.
• Learn from experienced building science professionals.

Join us and be part of a company where your work shapes a better future, and your voice matters. Learn more at www.swinter.com.

Why this Role Matters:

At Steven Winter Associates (SWA), we’re committed to creating healthier, low-carbon buildings, and we’re looking for a Sustainability Specialist / Green Rater to join our Sustainable Building Services team in Washington, D.C.

In this role, you’ll work hands‑on with new and existing multifamily buildings and single‑family homes to inspect, test, and guide teams toward meeting sustainability goals. Your expertise will support certifications including ENERGY STAR, Passive House, Enterprise Green Communities (EGC), and LEED, ensuring that building science principles are translated into actionable steps that improve energy performance, indoor air quality, and water efficiency.

The proposed annual salary will be $65,000 to $75,000 based on a 40‑hour work schedule. The final salary may vary depending on confirmed job‑related skills and experience.

Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Inspect and test buildings, including those under construction, to verify sustainability measures.
• Communicate building science principles and green building program requirements to all members of a project team.
• Review architectural and mechanical drawings, specifications, and submittals against sustainability goals, and make recommendations to optimize performance.
• Prepare and coordinate documentation, calculations, and analysis to support certification programs including but not limited to ENERGY STAR, Passive House, and LEED.
• Conduct technology, program and/or policy research related to sustainability.

Who You Are

• HERS Rater, HERS Rating Field Inspector, LEED Homes Green Rater, BPI Multifamily Building Analyst AND/OR NGBS Green Verifier credentials preferred. Will consider alternate construction and field inspection experience.
• BS in architectural engineering, building technologies, architecture, construction management or a building-related engineering field.
• 1+ years of experience in building design and construction or applied building science work, including onsite experience, along with solid knowledge of building science, including multifamily mechanical, structural, and thermal envelope systems.
• Familiarity and experience using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences across written, verbal, and presentation formats.
• Ability to work independently, managing time and projects effectively.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Valid U.S. driver's license with a clean record and urban driving experience.

Technical Skills

• Fluency using Microsoft Office suite plus AutoCAD and/or Adobe Acrobat/Bluebeam for takeoffs.
• Ability to read / review construction drawings and specifications.

Preferred Technical Knowledge

• Experience with LEED for Homes or Multifamily New Construction, National Green Building Standard, or Enterprise Green Communities.
• Knowledge of regional energy codes.
• Experience with utility billing analysis and energy saving spreadsheet calculations.
• Building commissioning, energy auditing, and/ or energy modeling.
• Regional laws related to energy and climate.

Process:

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates will be invited to a phone screen. Successful candidates will then participate in up to 2 additional interview rounds as we move through the selection process.

Physical Requirements:

This role requires frequent movement through active construction sites, including climbing stairs and ladders, bending, reaching, and carrying. The employee may be required to lift or move equipment up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job the employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to type, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand.

• **A valid and clean U.S. driving license is required.
• **There will be frequent days on construction sites which can be physically demanding.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional overnight travel may be required, along with frequent local day travel. Initial travel between corporate offices may be required for training purposes.

• Must be able to operate a vehicle in dense urban environments and use public transportation.

Working Environment:

This role requires work on jobsites approximately 50% of the time. Recent hires may be required to work in-office five days per week during onboarding, with potential for a flexible schedule after necessary training and supervisor approval; all team members are expected in the office at least three days per week, with flexibility based on job duties and site work (>1 day/week).

Benefits and Perks:

SWA invests in our people, and we’ve designed a benefits package tailored to meet the needs of our team to include medical, dental, vision, 401k (with match), commuter benefits, etc.

Company Principles:

Be visionary. Foster camaraderie. Take ownership. Think holistically. Improve the built environment.

SWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or marital status.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

SWA is a workplace where we are aware of and welcoming of the ways in which we are all diverse as evidenced by a culture of listening and understanding. We endeavor to create a workplace where people feel empowered to act; a safe place where people are open to discussing different views; ongoing education opportunities around diversity, equity, and inclusion; and to build a culture of belonging and accountability.

What to Know:

Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) is a proud employee-owned firm that’s been transforming the built environment for over 50 years. Our mission is to make buildings and communities more sustainable, energy efficient, accessible, healthy, and resilient. Working with architects, engineers, developers, owners, and managers, our team of consultants is always pushing boundaries, collaborating, and problem-solving to deliver solutions that benefit people and the planet.

Join us and become part of a company where your work helps shape a better future, and where your voice matters.